Developers continue to advance large-scale solar and energy storage facilities in the vicinity of Snowflake, with recent county approvals paving the way for multibillion-dollar projects.[1][2] These initiatives, featuring capacities well over 500 megawatts each, represent substantial non-road construction efforts poised to engage local workforces.
SE Cygnus Facility Approval
The Navajo County Board of Supervisors approved a development agreement on January 13 for SE Cygnus, LLC's photovoltaic solar facility paired with battery storage, located about 10 miles north of Snowflake on 3,700 acres.[1] The project includes up to 650 megawatts of solar generation and 400 megawatts of battery capacity, with Salt River Project as the proposed offtaker. County Manager Bryan Layton noted the site's advantages: “Navajo County's a wonderful place. It has very abundant wind and solar resources. There's existing transmission line infrastructure in place.”[2]
Stellar Red Hills Solar Advances
Separately, the Stellar Red Hills Solar project received county approval for a 1,000-megawatt solar array with 1,000 megawatts of four-hour battery storage on 9,213 acres roughly 5.5 miles north of Snowflake.[3] Supervisor Daryl Seymore highlighted its potential: “This area has always been known for its wind and solar potential. We’ve supported several similar projects to generate jobs and boost the economy.” Construction is targeted to commence in late 2026, with operations by the end of 2028.
Snowflake Solar Under Construction
The Snowflake Solar Complex, developed by Clēnera, encompasses 1,250 MW-DC of solar capacity and 4,000 MWh of battery storage across phases, with the first phase at 600 MW-DC solar and 1,900 MWh battery storage.[4] SOLV Energy lists its involvement in a 593 MW-DC Snowflake Solar project in Holbrook as under construction, aiming for 2027 completion.[5] Commercial operations for the complex's initial phase are expected in 2027.
These projects are projected to create hundreds of construction jobs, including an estimated 400 for the SE Cygnus facility alone.[2] Opportunities span engineering, project management, operations, and skilled trades during buildout phases.
As construction ramps up in late 2026 and 2027, local professionals can anticipate openings in solar installation, electrical work, and site management, alongside sustained operations roles post-completion.